Lock



ocfQs, 1940.

J. w. Fnz GERALD 2,217,047

LOCK

Filed Jun 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet` l jf I .la Sl 33 l5 d l' E 33 Z& 30 z ze -lo OCt- 8, l940- J. w. Fl'rz GERALD 2,217,047

LOCK

. Filed'June e, 1959 4 sheetssheet es ocg. s, 1940. J-[w mz GERALD 2,217,047

4 Sheets-Shee 4 Filed June 9, 1939 Patented Oct. y8, 1940 UNITED STATES TENT oEEicE Loon Application June 9, 1939, Serial No. 278,178

6 claims; (o1.A 'zo-366) This invention relates to locks, and refers particularly to small key controlled cylinder locks.

It is an object of this invention to provide a lock of the character described wherein a plurality of rotatable discs is employed in place of the usual endwise movable key controlled tumblers for securing the cylinder against rotation.

Another obj-ect of this invention is to provide a lock of the character described which because of its novel construction permits a smaller overall size without relinquishing accuracy and security.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock of the character described which is so designed that no need exists for exceptional strength in the cylinder construction.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a lock which is capable of a greater range of combinations than locks of the past, and wherein accuracy -is attained without requiring` extreme exactness in the key.

With the above and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, this Vinvention resides in the novel construction', combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

y The accompanying drawings illustrate two complete examples of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best modes so far devised for thepractical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a lock constructed in accordance withthis invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken through Figure 1 on Ithe plane of the line 2 2, showing .1()r the parts in their locked positions;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the key and the tumblers turned to their fully unlocked positions; n

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the ,con-

struction of the inner face of the front end of the casing and the adjacent face of the first disc to illustrate the manner in which the limits of rotation are defined;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of all of the tumbler discs, the locking bar and its spring arranged in their proper order of assembly;

Figure 6 is a perspective View ci the casing and the rotatable plug which isin'sertable into the rear end of the casing;

I Figurer? is a view similar to Figurel, illustrating a slightly modified embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken through Figure 7 on the plane of theline 8 8, showing the parts in their locked positions;

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 8, but illustrating the parts in their unlocked positions;

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken through Figure -7 on the plane of the line |0--I0;

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view taken 10 through Figure 7 on `the plane of the line ll-I I;

Figure 12 is a View similar to Figure 11, but showing the same parts in their unlocked positions of rotation; I,

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken 1 through Figure 7 on the plane of the line |3-I3;

and

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view taken through Figure 7 on the plane of the line |4--I4.

Before specically defining the invention with 20 reference to thedrawings, it is desired to briefly state thel general construction of the lock.

As distinguished from most of the present day f key operable tumbler locks, the present invention contemplates a construction in which the tum-` 25 blers are in the form of discs having stepped key openings whereby turning of a key having portions of differentheights and properly inserted into the lock, picks up thetumblers at different degrees of rotation; y y

Ninety degrees of key motion are allotted to collecting' or picking up all of the tumblers to carry them to positions at which V-shaped notches or recesses in their peripheries are aligned to permit a radially movable locking bar or driv- 35 er, which rides on the peripheries, to fall vvinto the notches. Continued rotation of the key turns the disc tumblers and through their engagement with the locking bar or driver transmits a turn- .ing motion to a rotatable plug in the inner end of the casing, which plug carries the usual eccentric driving lug or cam. v

Upon retrograde rotation, the rotatable plug is rst brought back to its initial locked position at which time the locking bar or driver is in line 45' with a recess or recesses in the casing into which it is projected against spring pressure, by con,- tinued turning of the discs.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like 5'0 parts, and especially to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the numeral 5 designates a casing having a bore 6, the front end of which is closed by' an end wall 1. This end wall has a cylindrical keyhole iprovided with opposed notches Sl to guide the 5`5l entrance of the key I0 into the lock. A finishing plate II is preferably secured over the front end of the casing.

Rotatably mounted in the rear end of the casing bore is a plug I2. The plug is held against disassembly from the casing and its limits of rotation are defined by a pin I3 secured in the plug and projecting radially outwardly into a segmental slot I4 in the adjacent wall of the casing bore.

Between the plug I2 and the end Wall 1, the side wall of the casing is cut away to provide an opening I5 leading to the bore 5. The width of the opening I5 is at least equal to the diameter of the bore. This opening I5 permits edgewise insertion of tumbler discs I6 into the bore 6- where they are held in spaced relationship by semicircular spacing ribs I'I projecting from the wall of the bore. Y

The tumbler discs I6 have key openings I8 uniform in size and shape. These openings are probably best described as comprising a substantially rectangular central portion I9 with one side thereof having a quadrant-like enlagement 2B and its other side enlarged to provide three radially and circumferentially spaced stops 2 I, 22

and 23 with which the bits 24 on the key engage as the key is turned.

Obviously, the heights of the bits on the key determine which of the stepped stops 2|, 22 or 23, the key will engage upon rotation thereof. Hence, during the ninety degrees of rotation allotted to collection or picking up of the tumblers so that thereafter they all turn in unison, first one and then the other of the tumblers will be engaged and advanced in the forward direction of rotation.

As noted at the outset, a driving connection to be hereinafter more fully described is effected between the rotatable plug I2 and the plurality of discs upon ninety degrees'of rotation of the key so that subsequent rotation of the discs by the key carries the plug I2 along. This driving connection consists of a locking bar or driver 25 having an elongated V-shaped part 26 which rides on the peripheries of the discs, and an angularly disposed mounting portion 2l slidable radially in an appropriate pocket 28 formed in the rotatable plug I2.

A torsion spring 29 having one end engaged with the plug and its other end engaging in a groove 38 cut into the top of the bar 26 yieldingly urges the same inwardly toward the tumbler discs. The coils of the spring are conveniently positioned in a pocket or recess 3l cut into the rotatable plug I2.

When the tumblers are in their locked positions of rotation, the V-shaped part 26 engages in shallow notches 32 in the peripheries of the discs, all of which are uniformly positioned with respect to the key openings I8. This engagement holds the discs against accidental rotation due to jarring of the lock, and inasmuch as the notches 32 are shallow,the locking bar is still projected outwardly to its operative locking position at which it engages in recesses 33 in the ends of the opening I5 so as to positively secure the rotatable plug I2 against rotation. u v

At the completion of ninety degreesof rotation on the part of the key, all of the tumbler discs will have been collected or picked up and moved to` a position at which deep notches 34 in their peripheries are aligned. Upon such alignment ofthe notches 34, which unlike; the notches 32 areV positioned at different locations circumferentially with respect to the key openings I8, the locking bar 25 drops down into them and the extent of this inward motion of the locking bar is suiicient to disengage it from the recesses 33. The then position of the locking bar establishes a driving connection between the discs and the rotatable plug I2 so that subsequent rotation of the key turns the plug I2. i

In addition to the tumbler discs I6, there is a front disc 35 provided. This disc is mounted directly inside the end wall 1, and instead of the peculiarly shaped keyhole I8 present in the tumbler discs I6, this front disc has a rectangular key opening 36 of a size to just permit the key to pass therethroughf Consequently, any rotation of thefkeyis manifested by a corresponding rotation of the front disc 35.

Likethetumbler discs, this front disc has a notch 32 Vto receive the locking bar and also a notch-34, but the notches are exactly ninety degrees apart so that thelocking bar is held in its operative position until ninety degrees of rotation have been completed.

The front .disc 35-also carries a pin 3l which projects forwardly into an arcuate groove 38 in the front wall. This groove has an arcuate length such that through engagement of the pin 31 with its ends, rotation of the front disc 35, and consequently the key, is limited to eX- actly one hundred and eighty degrees. In this manner the extreme limits Vof rotation for the lockare dened, and as noted hereinbefore, the rst half of the total rotary motion is utilized to collect the tumbler discs and align their notches 34 with theilocking bar, while the last half of the total rotation is utilized to rotate the plug I2. y u

As clearly shown in Figure 1, the key is guided for rotation byhthe circular keyhole 3 in the end wall 1 at the front of the lock, and by a round hole 38 in the rotatable plug I2 into which the end of the key projects, and by virtue of the two-diam'eteriormation of the keyhole 8 in the front of` the lock and notches 40 inthe key, the key is held against` end-wise motion in all positions of rotation except locked and unlocked. A slightly modified embodiment of the invention is Villustratedv in Figures 7 to 14, inclusive. In this construction, the casing 4I is in the form of an open endedsleeve, its front end being closed by a rotatable plug 42 and its rear end rotatably mounting the driving plug 43 which corresponds to the rotatable plug I2 of the preferred construction.

As in the construction already described, the casing has an open side to permit the insertion of the rotatable tumbler discs which are mounted in the same manner as that employed in the construction shown in Figures 1 to 6, but in this instance, a cover 44 closes the open side of the casing; v

The key openings in the tumbler discs, as previously described, are so-.designed that rotation of the key through ninety degrees collects all of the discs and brings them into positions at which their deep notches 34 are aligned. At this time the locking bar 45 drops into position to drivingly connect the tumbler discs with the rotatable plug. k y I The locking bar 45 is mounted for movement in a radial plane by means of an angularly disposed portion 46 -slidable in a suitable guideway inthe rotatable plug 43. A coil spring 41 encircling the portion 46 and coni-ined between the bottom of` axcounterbore 48 inthe plug 43 and a head 49 on the arm 46 yieldingly urges the locking bar into engagement with the peripheries of the discs.

In place of the front disc 35 of the construction previously described, this embodiment of the invention provides an inner disc 50 having a rectangular key opening 5I into which the nose of the key projects so that the disc 50 turns directly with the key. An outwardly projecting radial lug 52 on the disc 50 rides in a substantially semicircular groove 53 in the wall of the casing bore and its cover 44 to define the limits of rotation of the lock.

The rotatable plugs 42 and 43 are held in place by set screws 54 threaded into the casing and its cover with their inner ends projecting into annular grooves 55 and 55 in the plugs 42 and 43, respectively.

The mode of operation in this embodiment of the invention is identical to that of the preferred construction.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparentthat this invention provides an exceptionally simple lock structure which permits a wide range of combinations without entailing minute accuracy and exactness in the cutting of the key, and that by virtue of the novel construction employed, security is obtained without necessitating great strength in the cylinder construction which permits a smaller overall size and a cheaper construction.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a lock of the character described: a bored casing; a rotatable plug therein; a locking bar connected with the rotatable plug and movable in a radial plane toward and from the axis of the bore; thecasing having a recess to receive the locking bar and thus secure the rotatable plug against rotation; a plurality of key controlled rotatable discs in the bore with the locking bar riding on their peripheries to be held thereby in the casing recess, each disc having a notch for the reception of the locking bar, said notches being deep enough to enable the locking bar to be disengaged from the casing recess upon alignment of all of the notches therewith; and means for yieldingly urging the locking bar toward the axis of the bore so as to maintain the same engaged with the discs.

2. In a lock of the character described: a casing having a bore; a driving plug rotatable therein; a plurality of tumbler discs rotatable in the bore in front of the plug, all of said discs having key openings of such configuration that rotation of a key inserted into the lock picks up and turns the discs at different degrees of rotation of the key, and whereby all of the discs may be turned in unison after a predetermined amount of rotation, said discs also having notches in their peripheries adapted to be aligned the instant the discs begin to turn in unison; and a locking bar adapted to engage in the aligned notches of the discs and connected with the rotatable plug to provide a driving connection between the discs and the plug.

3. In a lock of the character described: a casing having a bore; a driving plug rotatable therein; aplurality of tumbler discs rotatable in the bore in front of the plug, all of said discs having key openings of such configuration that rotation of a key inserted into the lock picks up and turns the discs at different degrees of rotation of the key, and whereby all of the discs may be turned in unison after a predetermined amount of rotation, said discs also having notches in their peripheries adapted to bev aligned the instant the discs begin to turn in unison; the casing having a recess in line with the notches when the notches are rst brought into alignment; a locking bar radially slidable in said recess and of a size to be maintained in said recess by the peripheries of the discs and to move radially out of said recess upon alignment of the notches in the discs; and an angular portion on the locking bar radially slidable in the rotatable plug whereby a driving connection is effected between the discs and the plug when the locking bar engages in the aligned notches of the discs.

4. In a lock of the character described: a casing having a bore; a driving plug rotatable therein; a plurality of tumbler discs rotatable in the bore in front of the plug, all of said discs having key openings of such configuration that rotation of a key inserted into the lock picks up and turns the discs at different degrees of rotation of the key, and whereby all of the discs may be turned in unison after a predetermined amount of rotation, said discs also having notches in their peripheries adapted to be aligned the instant the discs begin to turn in unison; the casing having a recess in line with the notchesl when the notches are i'lrst brought into alignment; a locking bar radially slidable in said recess and of a size to be maintained in said recess by the peripheries of the discs and to move radially out of said recess upon alignment of the notches in the discs; an angular portion on the locking bar radially slidable in the rotatable plug whereby a driving connection is effected between the discs and the plug when the locking bar engages in the aligned notches of the discs; and a spring acting between the rotatable plug and a part of the locking bar for yieldingly urging the bar inwardly toward the axis of the bore.

5. In a lock of the character described: a casing having a bore; a plug rotatable in the rear end of the bore; another plug rotatable in the front end of the bore, the last named plug having a key opening therethrough; the casing having an open side between said plugs of a width at least equal to the diameter of the bore; a plurality of discs in said bore between the two plugs, said discs being insertable into the bore through the open side of the casing and each having a key opening, the key openings of the diierent discs being so shaped that rotation of a key inserted through the key opening in the front plug picks up and turns the discs after different degrees of rotation, said discs also having notches in their peripheries adapted to be aligned the instant all of the discs begin to turn in unison; a locking bar connected with the rear plug in a manner permitting bodily movement of the bar in a radial ,plane toward and from the axis of the bore and having a.

portion extending forwardly to engage the peripheries of the discs and enter, the notches therein upon alignment of the notches so as to eiect a driving connection between the discs and the rear plug; and said casing having a recess to receive the locking bar when it is not in the aligned notches of the discs so as to secure the rear plug against rotation; and said recess being positioned in line with the open side of the casing so that the locking bar forms a barrier across the open side of the casing to retain the tumbler discs therein.

6. In a lock of the character described: a casing having a bore; a plug rotatable in the inner end of the casing; a plurality of discs rotatable in the bore in front of the plug, said discs having central key openings'uniform in size and shape and each provide-d With radially and circumferentially oiset steps to be engaged by different height bits on a key inserted into the key openings whereby rotation of the key engages and transmits rotation to the discs after different degrees of motion and turns the discs in unison upon the completion of a predetermined degree of rotation, said discs further having deep notches in their peripheries located at different positions with relation to their openings and in such positions as to be aligned the instant the discs begin to turn in unison; a locking bar nonrotatably connected with the plug and engageable with the peripheries of the discs to engage in said deep notches upon alignment thereof and establish a driving connection between the discs and the plug, and said discs also having shallow notches in their peripheries uniformly located with respect to their openings to receive the locking bar portion When the discs are turned to the locked positions so that the bar holds the discs against accidental rotation. JOHN W. FITZ GERALD. 

